Contact AMSNY

The discovery of Franklin’s disease, a disorder related to the production of abnormal immunoglobulin

Institution:

New York University School of Medicine

Researchers:

Edward C. Franklin, MD, NYU School of Medicine

Impact:

Dr. Franklin did pioneering work in immunology and broke new ground in the study of the aging processes. Franklin’s disease is a type of heavy chain disease (malignant plasma cell disorder) whose symptoms include fatigue, enlargement of the lymph nodes, and susceptibility to infections. It can be treated with chemotherapy.

Timeline:

Franklin joined the NYU faculty in 1958, and made discoveries throughout his tenure. In 1979 he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences for “distinguished work and continuing achievements in original research.”